Dawntrail character graphics update - opinions, requests and discussion megathread

[Glyphs]

I'm going to post this to the Japanese feedback thread too, hence the JP text on the images, but here's my feedback as of Patch 7.3. You can see my last feedback post here.

Since 7.0...

• The "eyeliner" setting looks a little darker, which is good.
• The eye shape does not feel like it has changed at all. In general, it is still very different to the 6.0 version. All my criticisms and suggestions about this remain the same.
• The mouth shape has changed as of Patch 7.3. The curve is now softer, a little closer to the 6.0 version. However, I think the shape could still be improved.

Eyes:
The iris is smaller, and the pupil is larger. The iris no longer reaches the bottom of the eye's waterline. These changes are intentional stylistic changes, rather than changes due to the lighting. The combination gives the eye a very different shape and feeling. I feel like the sizes could be adjusted slightly, to their previous proportions, for a better feeling.



Mouth:
The curve of the mouth line is now a little softer as of Patch 7.3. The lower lip gradient was also made to be more gentle since Patch 7.0. These are good changes! I think the corners of the mouth could be made a little smoother, however, similar to the Patch 6.0 look. My WoL still looks very unlike herself when she smiles, which is a sad thing to think.



The below screenshots are all taken from the same cutscenes, or are using the "Simper" emote, to provide the same comparison. You can see most clearly in these images how different my WoL looks, with both the eyes and mouth considerations combined.



Sometimes I feel like giving up, and that it's too late for feedback. But I dearly love my WoL and miss her old look, so I want to continue giving my feedback. Thank you for continuing to listen, and continuing to make changes.

[Anarnee]

Those new catch lights working overtime to make Feo Ul look cockeyed. They've always been askew but his just looks bad. They look dead inside. Our loveliest branch must be very disappointed with the makeover.

[Tahli]

Those new catch lights working overtime to make Feo Ul look cockeyed. They've always been askew but his just looks bad. They look dead inside. Our loveliest branch must be very disappointed with the makeover.

The bigger the eyes, the less symmetrical the catchlights are, sadly. I wonder if revisiting Feo Ul and seeing the catchlights at their worst could push them to fix it...

[Argantaelle]

Yet another Live Letter before a major patch is on the horizon, leading to yet another phase of anxious waiting to see if my character's face will finally be fixed... I'm so tired of this vicious cycle. 1 year and 4 months have passed since the DT launch, and many character faces still suffer from major issues that have been mentioned in this thread multiple times.

I already accepted that my character is dead; I made an alt, but unfortunately he's a victim of the uncanny U-shaped smile too. Just fix this godawful smile; that's all I ask.

[Tahli]

I'd like to share my suggestions and drawn edits for features of this face that still have not been fixed. Sorry in advance for the long post, but I hope this provides clear details.

Eyebrows

The eyebrows are the most drastically changed facial feature, and above all, I believe this needs the most urgent attention and correction. There already exists a Petition for this specific issue, which so far has had unanimous agreement for it to be fixed.


Comparison of eyebrows between changes:

Or here for full size image

Eyebrow 2 outline changes:



● The April benchmark was the first edit to be made in the new graphics. It showed a nice texture, but was too straight and pointed too high compared to the original. It also lacked a finely tapered tip, and was too short.

The next change made after this kept these flaws, and added more in addition. Now, the eyebrows were crushed thin at the inner corner, and made to look very dark and heavy. The texture has worsened and looks completely solid, lacking softened edges. It almost appears that the upper half of the inner eyebrow was shaved off accidentally. This affects every eyebrow type for this face. Surprisingly, this version remains in the game today, and has not yet seen any edits.


● Original eyebrows of Seeker vs Keeper:


One detail that may have added to these eyebrows looking misshapen is the homogenization of Seeker and Keeper eyebrows for Face 2. Originally, these eyebrows were not identical for Sun Seekers and Moon Keepers of this face. The current eyebrows are based more on the Seeker, and the Keeper has lost its originality of longer, softer eyebrows with a more gently curved taper. These slight differences have only been exaggerated in the updated graphics. Please correct this.


● Face paint with eyebrow type 2:


Another error with these eyebrows is that they now spill over the shape of this "fake eyebrows" face paint, when they used to fit inside the paint's shape.
Please note: The face paint is at a similar angle to how it was before the update, so its shape does not need to be changed. Please fix this by only changing the shape of the actual eyebrow so that it matches its previous shape, and it will fit properly inside the face paint again.

Suggested edits for all brow types (based on Moon Keeper):


Full size image

Animated comparison of all Eyebrow edits:

Full size image


Lash line and Eyelashes

Full size image


The following examples use Eye type 6, but please make similar changes to all eye options.

● The outer corners of the eyes and eyelashes should be more upturned. This affects the impression a lot, and gives her a more "cat-like" gaze.



● The lash line had also been moved, creating a disturbingly large gap between the eyelashes and the eye. Please move the eyelash line closer to the eye again.

● Please also restore the eyelashes on the inner side of the upper eyelid. With the angle they sit at and the fewer eyelashes, they are hard to see now.
Making the eyelashes thicker, longer, and at the same angle as the original eyelashes would be preferable.

Suggested edits for lash line and eyelashes:





Eyelids

The following examples use Eye type 6, but please make similar changes to all eye options.

● The eye sockets are too deep now. The upper eyelid crease had a different shape and was not very prominent before, but now the eyes look too deeply set, and can look scary under strong lighting. I would like to see the original eyelid style restored.

Screenshot of the face in shadow, showing that the issue is more than just lighting:


● Also important to note is that the original version had a light amount of eyeshadow makeup built-in to this face at the outer corner of the eyes. The new graphics seem to have mistaken that eyeshadow as a crease in the skin that casts a shadow.

Suggested edits for eyelids:




Forehead markings on Keepers

● The markings on the forehead are stronger than they were before. They used to be partially transparent compared to the more solid cheek markings. If the white forehead markings are too strong, it draws attention and contributes to a harsher expression. I would like if the forehead markings were more transparent again.

Suggested edits for forehead markings:





Mouth

Full size image


● As is the case with other faces, the lip shape could use adjustment. The top lip is thinner, and the bottom lip is bigger than it previously was.

The following examples use Mouth type 3, but please make similar changes to all mouth options.

Sideview with lipstick to improve visibility:


● The issues are corners of mouth, and also where the top and bottom lips meet and make an expression. The shape that the mouth makes is now more like a frown, and the bottom lip extends too high, nearly overlapping the upper lip. The frown also extends to the corners of the mouth. It used to be neutral, or slightly friendly looking.
There is also a strange gap between the lips that was not present before.


This face used to have a cool and subtly mischievous impression. Please give her back her personality!

Suggested edits for the mouth:


Still image of mouth edit



~ All of these edits combined: ~

Using Eyebrows 2, Eyes 6, Mouth 3.



I put a lot of effort into compiling this feedback, and trying to make edits that are more similar to this face's original impression and personality. I hope there's a chance the art team can use it to help with future updates to character graphics.

[MoonNoire]

Still waiting on a fix for our eyes being unable to narrow while looking down and using a facial expression since...

*papers rustling*

Late March.
More than half a year of looking like a serial killer, wow.

[Joralia]

I put a lot of effort into compiling this feedback, and trying to make edits that are more similar to this face's original impression and personality. I hope there's a chance the art team can use it to help with future updates to character graphics.

Your post is incredible... It's everything I have been asking them to fix about Face 2 for over a year! Gosh, I hope they see this!

[Tahli]

Your post is incredible... It's everything I have been asking them to fix about Face 2 for over a year! Gosh, I hope they see this!

Thank you!! I hope so too!

[lunartears]

I'm curious how everyone who has posted here is feeling now that the topic has died down.

Personally I've lost all hope about anything getting better and play FFXIV for the other aspects I liked before the graphics update. I just use replications of the old face models to cope. I dread when they finish updating all the gearsets because I'm not a fan of the new textures, currently they are the only old graphics part of my character. I generally play significantly less than before the graphics update came out.

[Luluna]

I am still here just missing my faces I used to use. I am flipflopping again with my character because I think I have it right and then nope....they really changed face 2 midlander mouth and nose and its such a shame.

I was looking back on old screenshots and it is really bad wtf made them think that it was a good idea to make all the mouths look like rubber?

I will never use mods and I know others use them and can make their characters look better but I would never risk it and why should I use mods when I have given a shit ton of money to SE playing the game for almost 16 years.

They need to update the character creator give us better options like body shape and improve skin textures. I am thinking they have either got some plans or they are hoping we have all accepted it. I know that they have 8.0 looming and what will be the selling point? lets hope it is a massive update to he CC and a fix for this mess.